This easy game day snack puts all of the cheesy goodness of a pizza into a zesty dip!
In this Pizza Dip recipe, cream cheese is seasoned and then topped with pizza sauce. It’s all crowned with your favorite toppings, and a double dose of cheese!
Prep ahead and when it’s party time, bake until browned and bubbly. Serve with torn french bread – or tortilla chips!
Why You’ll Love Pizza Dip
- This pizza dip recipe is an easy-to-make appetizer that will keep guests happy.
- This dip can be made up to 48 hours ahead of time which makes it party perfect.
- No pizza dough required (although it’s great to bake some up for dipping).
- Don’t stop with pepperoni – include your family’s favorite toppings. Mushrooms, onions, sausage, and ham would all be delicious in this creamy dip!
Ingredients for Pizza Dip
BASE
The base of this dip is extra cheesy with cream cheese and seasonings. We add mozzarella for texture and cheddar for an extra boost of flavor. Add any cheeses you like. Optional additions include: garlic (or garlic powder), red chili flakes, fresh herbs.
Pizza sauce tends to have a thicker consistency than regular pasta sauce. No pizza sauce? Crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, & seasonings can easily be made into pizza sauce.
TOPPINGS
No pizza (in my books) would be complete without a generous helping of cheese! We love mozzarella and parmesan baked until bubbly.
Add your favorite pizza toppings on top of the cheese, it helps them crisp a bit more. Try some favorite pizza additions like crumbled bacon, sausage or mushrooms, and olives. Try making a meat lovers dip a supreme pizza inspired dip.
How to Make Pizza Dip
- Mix cream cheese, spices, & some of the mozzarella. Spread into a baking dish.
- Top with pizza sauce (per the recipe below).
- Sprinkle with cheese & toppings.
- Bake until browned and bubbly!
Pizza Dip Tip: Ingredients that contain a lot of liquid (like mushrooms) should be cooked so they don’t make the dip watery. If using pineapple drain and lightly squeeze dry. Use prepared or cooked meat.
Tips for Easy Cheesy Dip
- Soften the cream cheese before mixing.
- Use a hand mixer to make a fluffy dip that’s easier to scoop.
- I like to put the pepperoni on top of the cheese so it gets crispy.
- To save time, buy pre-shredded cheese, it works well in this dip.
- Allow the dip to cool at least 5 minutes before serving.
- If adding fresh basil, add it after baking.
Pizza Inspired Snacks
- Homemade Air Fryer Pizza Rolls – freezer friendly
- Pepperoni Pizza Popcorn – a next-level snack
- Pizza Bombs – homemade pizza pockets
- Pepperoni Pizza Crescent Rolls – made with premade dough
- Pizza Bites – a perfect snack for game day
Did you make this Cheesy Pizza Dip? Inspire us with your topping creations in a comment below!
Easy Cheesy Pizza Dip
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded, divided
- ½ cup cheddar cheese shredded
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- ¼ cup fresh parmesan cheese shredded
- pepperoni slices to taste, approx ¼ cup
- tortilla chips or 1 loaf of sourdough bread cut into cubes for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix cream cheese, ¾ cup mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, oregano, & basil, and salt to taste.
- Spread into a pie pan or 2qt casserole dish. Top the cream cheese mixture with pizza sauce.
- Sprinkle remaining cheeses followed by pepperoni.
- Bake 25 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is browned.
- Cool 5 minutes before serving. Serve with tortilla chips or cubed bread.
Video
Notes
- Soften the cream cheese before mixing.
- Use a hand mixer to make a fluffy dip that's easier to scoop.
- I like to put the pepperoni on top of the cheese so it gets crispy.
- To save time, buy pre-shredded cheese, it works well in this dip.
- Allow the dip to cool at least 5 minutes before serving.
- If adding fresh basil, add it after baking.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Appetizer, Dip, Party Food
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
This recipe first appeared on SpendWithPennies.com in January 2014. Photographs updated August 2015.
Cowabunga Brah!
This is wonderful, just right for the coffee table and the foot ball games.
I wonder could it baked on a BBQ
I think that would work! Let us know how it goes.
you mention that this dip can be made 48 hours ahead of time. Do you have to warm it up and how would you do that? Microwave or oven. Thank You I enjoy your recipes
I would make it to step 4 and then bake in the oven right before serving. Enjoy Lucien!
I have made this several times. Each was a big hit. Makes a pretty dish too. Some ask abt keeping warm for travel. I use the insulated carriers & it stays hot for several hrs. I take it out of oven, cover tightly with heavy duty foil & place in bag.
Thanks for sharing, Debbie! That is great to know.
Looks delicious! Has anyone tried in a slow cooker? I do most of my warm dips that way to keep warm.
Hi Anne, we haven’t tried this recipe in a slow cooker but I think that sounds like a great idea. You will have to let us know how it turns out!
Crockpot: I tried in a crockpot. Followed recipe but added 1/2 pound of fried sausage and some onion. I layered the sausage on the bottom of crockpot, followed by the “cream cheese” mixture. And the other layers as instructed in recipe, I only put a few of the pepperonis on the top for decoration. Not sure how long it was warmed … husband took the crock pot to a small gathering and returned with it empty. Thanks for the recipe!!
Thank you for sharing Mary!
This is soooo good, as usual with your recipes Holly…we will be having this yummy dip for the big game tomorrow!!…thanks for the recipe!
Kids loved this! I mixed in some Hormel mini pepperoni and after baking topped it with some sliced olives. The family gobbled it up. Definitely a new favorite.